George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program Supplemental Information on Bicycle and Pedestrian Access
The replacement of the George Washington Bridge suspender ropes is part of the “Restoring the George” program which includes 11 projects to rehabilitate the 85-year-old George Washington Bridge. The suspender rope replacement project includes the replacement of suspender ropes, inspection, repair and dehumidification of the main cables, replacement of the north and south sidewalks, and new security fencing on the water-side of the sidewalks.
As part of this project, improvements to the sidewalks represent an investment of $118 million in construction costs, which is over 20% of the construction cost of the suspender rope replacement project. The “Restoring the George” program addresses pressing bridge access issues and improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle experience that includes separation of users on the north and south sidewalks, ADA compliant access ramps, elimination of stairways and constricted turns on access ramps, introduction of spacious entry plazas and viewing platforms, and safety fencing along ramps and main span sidewalks. The sidewalk improvements include:
. When completed, both North and South sidewalks will operate simultaneously, at the current sidewalk widths of 10’ (6’-11” within the bridge towers and 6’-9” at the suspender rope locations). Pedestrians and those requiring ADA access will use the south sidewalk, and bicyclists will use the north sidewalk. This is an improvement from the current condition where the cyclist and walkers share the same sidewalk. . Approach ramps will be added to the North sidewalk where there were previously stairs accessing the sidewalk (there are existing ramps on the South sidewalk). All approach ramps, will be between 11’ and 14’ wide, constructed to be ADA-compliant for pedestrians and bicyclists and have a maximum slope of 5%. . Safety features such as sidewalk pavement markings, bicycle-friendly rub-rails, improved lighting and wayfinding signage will be included to assure user safety and comfort. . The sidewalk will provide for a continuous path across the bridge on both the north and south sides, with a series of spacious entry plazas and 3 viewing platforms. The viewing platforms have been located along the approach ramps and positioned to exploit the views of the Hudson River and Palisades.
Existing Future
Existing sidewalk is shared between pedestrians and bicyclists Separation of users between north and south sidewalks will enhance user experience (north sidewalk entry plaza)
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
Existing Future
All users are required to use stairs to access the north sidewalk ADA‐compliant 14’ wide sidewalk access ramp, maximum 5% slope (11’ wide at NJ north)
Narrow widths and constricted turns at existing access ramp Improved widths and slopes at future access ramp
Partial height fence at the approach ramps and main span New 11’ high safety fence at the main span of the bridge; sidewalk access ramps will be 9’ high; vehicular side rail will also be replaced
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
Existing Future
Existing conditions have limited opportunities for gathering Spacious entry plazas will provide bridge orientation with and place‐making wayfinding and meet‐up areas for enhanced user experience
Existing conditions have limited opportunities for viewing and Viewing platforms will provide scenic vistas with respite and place‐making meet‐up areas for enhanced user experience
Existing: South sidewalk (NJ) Future: South sidewalk (NJ) – Pedestrians
Future view at NJ‐South: south sidewalk pedestrian operation Existing condition at NJ‐South: Hudson Terrace looking east: includes a new crosswalk (along Hudson Terrace), spacious absence of crosswalk, entry area and street buffer; narrow entry plaza and main span access sidewalk sidewalk with vehicular gate impediment
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
Existing: South sidewalk (NY) Future: South sidewalk (NY) – Pedestrians
Future view at NY‐South: south sidewalk pedestrian operation includes a spacious entry plaza, viewing platform and main span access ramp
Existing condition at NY‐South: W. 178th Street and Cabrini Boulevard: absence of entry area and street buffer; ramp access to bridge is narrow with constricted turns
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
Existing: North sidewalk (NJ) Future: North sidewalk (NJ) – Bicycles
Existing condition at NJ‐North: Hudson Terrace looking east: Future view at NJ‐North: north sidewalk bicycle operation absence of crosswalk, entry area and street buffer; stair‐only includes a new crosswalk (across Hudson Terrace), spacious access to bridge entry plaza, viewing platform and main span access ramp
Existing: North sidewalk (NY) Future: North sidewalk (NY) ‐ Bicycles
Future view at NY‐North: W. 180th Street and Cabrini Boulevard looking west ‐ north sidewalk bicycle operation includes a spacious entry plaza, viewing platform and main span access
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
New Jersey Approaches – Existing Alignments
New Jersey Approaches – Proposed Alignments
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information
New York Approaches – Existing Alignments
New York Approaches – Existing Alignments
George Washington Bridge “Restoring the George” Construction Program – Supplemental Information